Microsoft ending Xbox Video support for Windows Phone 7 and Zune

Microsoft has announced that Xbox Video content will no longer be available through Windows Phone 7 and Zune devices.

The company recently emailed customers to notify them that their old pre-Windows Phone 8 devices would no longer play this video content from February 2014.

"This email is to notify you that in late February, 2014, Xbox will be making an update to our video catalog," reads the email. "This update will allow us to more quickly and efficiently add the highest quality video content to the Xbox Video service."

"As a result, beginning in late February 2014, any Xbox Video content you own as of then, will no longer be playable through the Zune PC client, Zune devices, or Windows Phone 7 devices. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

The Zune desktop client remains an essential tool for Windows Phone 7 users, but Microsoft began to phase it out when it unified all of its entertainment efforts under the one Xbox banner - hence Xbox Video and Xbox Music. It does mean users of the older mobile operating system have been left somewhat high and dry, though, with content they have purchased no longer available to them.

All a natural part of progress, you might think. But consider that the Nokia Lumia 900, the last Windows Phone 7 flagship phone, was only launched in April 2012. It will mean that within the space of a single two year contract, part of that flagship device’s functionality will have been rendered inactive by Microsoft.

Microsoft has not commented on whether Windows Phone 7 users will be reimbursed for their lost purchases. It does point out, however, that users will be able to continue viewing their video through a web browser, Windows 8 PC, Xbox or Windows Phone 8 device.